Paragliding World Cup: UK woman pilot injured in crash landing

Ruth Churchill Dower, a woman pilot from the United Kingdom (UK) and a participant in the ongoing Paragliding World Cup 2015 at Bir, was injured after she crash landed in the Bandla hills overlooking Palampur.

Paragliders during the 4th day of AAI Paragliding World Cup at Bir.(HT Photo )

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Ruth Churchill Dower, a woman pilot from the United Kingdom (UK) and a participant in the ongoing Paragliding World Cup 2015 at Bir, was injured after she crash landed in the Bandla hills overlooking Palampur.

The organisers said she might have developed a problem in the glider and subsequently crash landed in hills at 12:56pm.

“She has sustained minor injuries in the neck and back,” a Billing Paragliding Association (BPA) official said.

The pilot herself informed the control room about the crash and her position after which a chopper and team of doctors were dispatched.

After some initial difficulty, rescuers located her after recognising a signal given by her. Urban development minister and BPA president Sudhir Sharma said the injured pilot was taken to Vivekananda Medical Research Trust (VMRT) hospital in Palampur.

“She is safe and is expected to return for tomorrow’s competition,” said Sharma. Apart from Ruth, three more pilots made emergency landings but were reported to be safe.”